So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
Galatians 5:16

Commentary

How many times have we made New Year resolutions only to find ourselves discouraged by the 2nd week (maybe even the 2nd day!). Every New Year we intend to stop this or lose that - so much so that we resign ourselves each year to making a list with the assumption that we won't keep it. But the apostle Paul gives us an important hint in what it takes to truly change: we don't make a decision to keep away from the desires of our sinful nature, we make a decision to live by the Spirit! We need to focus our gaze on where we want to go instead of looking at what we want to avoid. Let's start this New Year by taking our gaze off of our weaknesses and refocus it on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. When we do, we find that He can change us more than our resolutions!

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Commentary

Have you ever stopped to think that that extra slice of pizza or skipping a trip to the gym has great spiritual implications? According to this passage it does. The Temple of Israel was where God dwelled among his people. It was a holy place, set apart for God's purposes and presence. The Apostle Paul is telling us here that this is what our bodies have become. "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit." Our bodies have now been set apart for God's Holy Spirit to live in. This is an amazing thought! Because of this we are not to treat our bodies like they were given to us merely for our own personal use. God paid a great price for us with the life and death of his Son. We are responsible to take good care of our bodies-valuing them-and in so doing, honoring the God who now dwells within.

Today's commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities

Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23

Commentary

Proverbs 4 is filled with instruction on how to gain wisdom and have lives that are full and complete. Then near the end of the chapter the writer says, "above all else, guard your heart". Why is this so important? Because our hearts guide and direct all that we do. Every word that comes out of our mouth starts in the heart. All of our actions and choices are driven by the desires of the heart. We often spend large sums of money to guard our earthly possessions. The government spends untold fortunes to guard our nation. But God tells us that it is even more important to guard our hearts. If we don't it can lead to spiritual ruin! Who we are in Christ is being formed in our hearts. If we let them be filled with perverse or unrighteous things we live at odds to God's purposes. Ask God to show you the areas of your heart that need guarding as you enter the new year.

Today's commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:31

Commentary

It has been said that as we get older the years get shorter and the days get longer! Life can often feel like a race that we are running and can't quite keep up. Placing our hope in the Lord and the new life that he offers us in Christ is compared here to soaring on wings like eagles-like flying. Imagine it, no longer are we destined to place our hope in ourselves, our jobs, the economy, our friends or a spouse. We now have a hope that cannot be shaken. When our hope is in the Lord our strength is renewed. Whatever you are facing today you have a choice. Where will you put your hope?

Today's commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Commentary

When a new year rolls around we often feel regret for the past or great hope for the future...or both! But what hope do we have of really having a "new year" if we are the same ol' people? This passage tells us that when someone has dedicated their life to following Jesus, they are re-made. Not just rehabilitated or reformed, but re-created-a new person. We're not talking about a new way of doing or not doing things, or a different way of behaving, but in Christ we are now new creations. However, we must yield to the perfecting work of the Holy Spirit to experience this new creation work in our lives. This new life is not something that WE muster up. It is the gift of God given and kept by the Spirit. Today, this year and forever.

Today's commentary by:
Caesar Kalinowski, Pastor, Soma Communities

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
John 14:27

Commentary

My peace. The word My is emphatic. This is no conventional wish; this is Jesus' personal, special grant of peace. The peace that Christ gives banishes fear and dread from the heart, for Jesus is in control of all circumstances.
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Jn 14:27). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
And his tongue speaks justice.
The law of his God is in his heart;
His steps do not slip.
Psalm 37:30-31

Commentary

The just man's speech is brimful of wisdom. What he says is sound, Scriptural, and solid. He speaks justice-not crookedness and deceit. He meditates continually on the Word of God, and this keeps his steps from slipping into sin and shame.

As Spurgeon has mentioned, he has:
the best thing-the law of his God, in the best place-in his heart, producing the best result-his steps do not slip.
MacDonald, W., & Farstad, A. (1997, c1995). Believer's Bible Commentary : Old and New Testaments (Ps 37:30). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24

Commentary

The righteous know that when they fall, they are never left lying there; when they stumble, they are never completely forsaken.
Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson's new illustrated Bible commentary (Ps 37:24). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.

The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
The people who walk in darkness
Will see a great light;
Those who live in a dark land,
The light will shine on them.
Isaiah 9:2

Commentary

This passage has been associated with the Christmas season due to the usage of it in Handel's Messiah. The implications of this Scripture are immense. This passage says that 1) we all are walking in darkness and 2) we all need to see a great light. It's not very flattering to think that we walk in darkness, but a view of history would validate this claim pretty quickly. But now Christ is the light that gives light to every man. There is a light that has dawned upon us. We didn't figure it out nor could we figure it out. We need help. Another way to put it is Jesus is not a celestial Sugar Daddy trying to help us out; He's our Savior to set us free from our sins!

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David's throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
will accomplish this.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be (I)no end to the increase of His government or of peace,
On the throne of David and over his kingdom,
To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness
From then on and forevermore
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7

Commentary

Isaiah has more messianic prophecies than any other book in the Hebrew Bible. Augustine called Isaiah the "5th gospel". This famous passage was declared during the rise of the Assyrian dynasty. Israel would be reestablished, but not in the way that was expected: a child would be born. The Jewish leaders of the 1st Century were looking for a Messiah that would ride in on a white horse and set the Jews free from the Romans. Instead, a baby was brought into the world. In weakness and vulnerability, the child was born and nurtured to fulfill His God-given destiny - to establish and uphold God's true kingdom. The kingdom of God that began with the baby king has not stopped increasing ever since.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him."
Matthew 2:1-2

Commentary

The Magi add a fascinating twist to the Christmas story. They were ancient astrologers who were regarded as the wise men of their time. They were not Jewish and this is the only time that they are mentioned in the Scripture. Their appearance and departure is mysterious and full of imagination. Notice the two groups who knew of the Christ: poor shepherds and respected wise men. Jews and Gentiles. God wanted to make it clear that the gospel was meant for rich and poor alike. It was meant for the smart and the uneducated. In other words, the gospel has been sent to the entire world.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
"This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."
Luke 2:8-14

Commentary

Merry Christmas! This famous passage of Scripture is the most beloved in our day recounting the birth of the Christ. The contrast is striking. Shepherds were regarded as one of the lowest castes of the culture in their day. They lived outside the cities and were not allowed to participate in many events. Yet to whom do the angels proclaim their good news? Who hears the greatest choir in the universe? The shepherds. The picture of the outcasts with the magnificent gives us a glimpse into the heart of God. He takes the parts of our lives that we regard as unclean and proclaims good news. He opens our hearts to tell us what He is about to do in our generation. May we be in a position to hear the angels and join in the purposes of God for our time.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times."
But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among the clans of Judah,
From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel
His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity."
Micah 5:2

Commentary

We find a pattern with the Scriptures: Abraham was called out of his established place in his father's household to become a nomad. Once he was outside known territory, God could use him. Moses was required to live in the desert for 40 years before he could lead the Jewish people out of Egypt. It seems that God loves to take mighty things and make them smaller in order to confound the world and it's wisdom. Bethlehem was a border town with the Gentiles. It was considered unclean and totally out of touch with the rest of the Jewish realm. Yet it was Bethlehem that God chose to birth the Savior of mankind, Jesus Christ. Do you feel that God is whittling you down? Rejoice, he's getting ready to use you in a great way! Do you see yourself on the margins and insignificant? Congratulations! You're positioned to do great things for God. He has a record of taking weak and foolish things to confound the strong and wise.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
or he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me-
holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation."
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation..
And Mary said:
"My soul exalts the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
"For He has had regard for the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
"For the Mighty One has done great things for me;
And holy is His name.
"AND HIS MERCY IS UPON GENERATION AFTER GENERATION
TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR HIM."
Luke 1:46-50

Commentary

This proclamation occurs during the meeting of a pregnant Mary with her pregnant relative, Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a miracle pregnancy because she is beyond childbearing age. Mary is a miracle pregnancy because she is a virgin. The angel of the Lord set up this meeting, and the event has dramatic impact. They find great strength in each other and their circumstance. Elizabeth's miracle encourages Mary. When we face overwhelming circumstances, the power of encouragement can't be underestimated. The verse that we see here indicates a woman who is engulfed with relief! Her faith in God is reaffirmed. As hard as it will be, she is on the right track. Many times all we need is someone to say to us, "Stay with it, you're doing what God wants you to do." This gives us the strength to carry on in difficult circumstances.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus."
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
The angel said to her, Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus."
Luke 1:30-31

Commentary

Mary was an amazing woman. Think of the situation: a 13 - 15 year old virgin is told that she has favor with God. Favor? She will be pregnant and have to convince her fiancée that she was not unfaithful. She will have to endure the gossip that will follow her for the rest of her life concerning the birth of her son and the timing of her wedding to Joseph. In the culture of her day, unwed mothers were quietly "put away" (see Matthew 1:18-19). Yet God DOES give Mary favor: He reveals to her the unique role that she plays in God's purposes. And she embraces that role, even though it will come a great personal cost. We want God to fit into our story, yet Christmas is a reminder that our story is never really understood until it's seen in the light of God's story. Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel -which means, "God with us."
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US."
Matthew 1:23

Commentary

The story of Jesus confronts us with events that defy and even offend rational thinking. Matthew pulls no punches: this Jesus is miraculous from start to finish. The birth of God as a man is one of the great mysteries of Christianity. Which is of great comfort, because if everything about this God could be explained one should question its supernatural origin. The preposterous nature of this miracle (and the ones that follow Jesus) demands a verdict. As C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity: " Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34

Commentary

If there were any time marked by worry, it's now. Between the economy and the war overseas, many Americans are coping with a low level sense of dread. Once again, God's word gives us tremendous insight. Earlier in this passage Jesus assures his disciples that God knows their every need. If He feeds the birds of the air, will he not feed us? Then Jesus brings us the shocking truth: our anxiety is connected to doubt and unbelief! To worry about tomorrow is a sign that we don't trust our heavenly Father to take care of us. We are called to deal with the things of today and trust that the God who knows our name has our tomorrows in His hands. So anxiety or worry is a symptom of an unbelieving heart. How do we get rid of worry? Our answer comes with repentance, then realigning our heart with God's promise to meet our needs. The promises in Matthew 6 alone have enough bread from heaven to sustain us in the midst of this troubled time.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
James 1:17

Commentary

James is contrasting God's nature with our nature in previous verses. Whereas we are fickle, God never changes. He gives good (earthly) and perfect (heavenly) gifts to us. Sometimes we see God giving only heavenly gifts - salvation, guidance, peace. But he also gives earthly gifts - prosperity, success, favor. James balances the earthly and the heavenly when He refers to God as the Father of the heavenly lights, which were seen as trustworthy navigation tools. We may want to exploit the earthly gifts, or only emphasize the heavenly gifts, but our heavenly guide will use all of these gifts to transform us. The God who does not change uses good and perfect gifts to mold us into the children that will change the earth.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!
Matthew 7:11

Commentary

In this passage Jesus is teaching his disciples to ask. Their concept of God may have been a Creator who is so grand that He is unapproachable. If this was the case, Jesus was turning that image upside down. Jesus was teaching that God the Father is not only good, but also desirous to give good gifts to his children. Not his slaves - His kids! This can be a major shift of thinking for people. To see God as distant and deaf gives us greater autonomy; but to see God as a Father wanting to bless his children challenges that autonomy. We now are responsible for asking, seeking and knocking. God wants us to come to Him.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity,
And revive me in Your ways.
Psalm 119:37

Commentary

This Scripture has more importance in our day than ever. How we guide our eyes in a visual age makes all the difference to the wellbeing of our souls. Worthless things surround us. The sensuality of this culture is so obvious that it doesn't need much explanation. But there are many worthless things that are not so obvious. How many hours have we wasted on the internet? Look at our habits when we have a television remote in our hand. What did it take to get to the 42nd level in that video game? Many times the key to cultivating the best in us does not occur during the work week, but how we handle our leisure time. To make God's words a priority during our down time will preserve our lives from worthless distractions.

Today's commentary by:
Dave Whitehead, Senior Pastor, Grace NYC